There are so many things to be grateful for this season, but as November draws to a close my thoughts always turn to my grandfather, Dr. Christopher. His birthday, November 25th, coincides with the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States this year. As I think about the lessons I’ve learned from him, I am so grateful for the simplicity of his teachings, and the powerful simple ways herbs work with our bodies to find health.  

This year I keep thinking of an experience Dr. Christopher recounted about two boys who both had a swollen gland on the side of their neck, behind the ear. One boy was robust and healthy, the other was more fragile. Dr. Christopher recommended the same remedy for both - mullein and lobelia fomentations directly on the swollen gland. When asked what the result of the treatment would be - would the toxins burst out through the skin or be routed through the bloodstream and out the bowel - he replied that he didn’t know. The lobelia in the formula would assist the body in deciding the best way to release the toxins.  

The swollen gland on the robust boy's neck gradually decreased in size until it disappeared. The complete opposite happened with the fragile boy - his swollen gland opened, drained almost a cup of fluid, and then sealed up. The robust boy had a constitution that could handle getting rid of the infection internally. The fragile boy's constitution was not strong enough to handle any extra stress on the internal organs, so with the help of the herbs, the body opened up the lump and drained it externally. 

This simple combination is miraculous, and the experience illustrates Dr. Christopher’s teachings perfectly. Herbs are safe, they are effective, and they work with the body to heal in the best way possible.  

Experiences like these remind me that simple gifts are exactly what we need. At this time of year I encourage each of us to take time to reconnect with the simplicity of herbs and natural healing. Believe in their power, get out of the way, and let them work 

I am grateful for the legacy Dr. Christopher left us. We honor him each time we choose to move toward health. As we pause this year in gratitude for so many blessings, my hope is that we will include gratitude for our health and make simple choices to continually move toward health.